Method and apparatus for controlling an external device using auto-play/auto-pause functions

ABSTRACT

An external device such as a digital recording/reproduction device may be controlled via a digital data bus using auto-play and/or auto-pause functions. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for controlling an external device includes detecting initiation of one of a disconnection from the external device and a connection to the external device, providing a pause command signal to the external device via a digital data bus if the initiation of the disconnection from the external device is detected, and providing a play command signal to the external device via the digital data bus if the initiation of the connection to the external device is detected.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and all benefits accruing from aprovisional application filed in the United States Patent and TrademarkOffice on May 5, 2003, and there assigned ser. no. 60/467,995.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a technique for controllingan external device, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus forcontrolling an external device such as a digital recording/reproductiondevice via a digital data bus by using auto-play and/or auto-pausefunctions.

2. Background Information

A digital data bus can be utilized for transmitting digital data in anetwork among digital devices, such as television signal receivers,personal computers (PCs), display devices, digital video cassetterecorders (DVCRs), digital versatile disk (DVD) players, audio/videohard disk drives (AVHDDs), direct broadcast satellite (DBS) receivers,home control devices (e.g., security systems, temperature controldevices, etc.), and/or other devices. A digital data bus is typicallycompliant with a particular standard or specification. An example of awired digital bus standard includes the Institute for Electrical andElectronic Engineers (IEEE) 1394 High Performance Serial Bus standard,which is well known in the art. Wireless digital bus standards, such asHiperlan2, are also known in the art.

In a digital bus network, certain problems may occur when one device,such as a television signal receiver, disconnects from an externaldevice in the network, such as an AVHDD, and later re-establishes theconnection with the external device. Such a disconnection and connectionin a digital bus network may involve a specific signal protocol (e.g.,disconnect request-disconnect response, connect request-connectresponse, etc.), and may occur when a user causes a network device toswitch from one input to another input. For example, problems may occurin that when the connection with the external device is re-established,the external device may restart playing the track it was playing at thetime of disconnection from the beginning. It is likewise problematic ifthe external device continues to play after the disconnection is made.In particular, both of the foregoing situations are generallyundesirable since users are unable to continue playing a track from itsthen-current point at the time of disconnection, and must either advanceand or reverse within the track to find the exact point where they leftoff. This process can be imprecise, inconvenient, time consuming andfrustrating for users.

One approach for addressing the foregoing problems is for devices tostore and maintain a list of all other network devices that indicatesthe last state such network devices are in at the time of disconnection.This approach, however, is not optimal since it may be rather complex toimplement, and also consumes valuable memory capacity of a device.Another approach for addressing the foregoing problems is to maintain aconnection with a network device when switching away from that device,This approach is likewise not optimal since maintaining a connectionwith a device in a digital bus network may lead that device to falselybelieve that it has an avenue to communicate with the other connecteddevice.

Other problems may also occur in a digital bus network as the result ofa power interruption (e.g., device turned off, device unplugged, etc.).For example, if a device is connected to another network device at thetime of a power interruption, when power to the device is restored, thedevice may be automatically switched to a non-network input (e.g.,antenna input), and away from the network device. This may beinconvenient in that it requires users to manually switch back to thenetwork device.

The present invention addresses the foregoing and/or other problems byproviding a method and apparatus for controlling an external device suchas a digital. recording/reproduction device via a digital data bus usingauto-play and or auto-pause functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method forcontrolling an external device is disclosed. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the method comprises steps of detecting initiation of one ofa disconnection from the external device and a connection to theexternal device, providing a first command signal to interrupt operationof the external device via a data bus if the initiation of thedisconnection from the external device is detected, and providing asecond command signal to resume the operation of the external device viathe data bus if the initiation of the connection to the external deviceis detected.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatusis disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatuscomprises input/output means for connecting the apparatus to an externaldevice via a data bus. Processing means detect initiation of one of adisconnection from the external device and a connection to the externaldevice. The input/output means outputs a first command signal tointerrupt operation of the external device via the data bus if theprocessing means detects the initiation of the disconnection from theexternal device, and outputs a second command signal to resume theoperation of the external device via the data bus if the processingmeans detects the initiation of the connection to the external device.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, atelevision signal receiver is disclosed. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the television signal receiver comprises an input/outputterminal operative to connect the television signal receiver to anexternal device via a data bus. A processor is operative to detectinitiation of one of a disconnection from the external device and aconnection to the external device. The input/output terminal outputs afirst command signal to interrupt operation of the external device viathe data bus if the processor detects the initiation of thedisconnection from the external device, and outputs a second commandsignal to resume the operation of the external device via the data busif the processor detects the initiation of the connection to theexternal device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary environment suitable for implementing the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram providing further details of the apparatus ofFIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps according to oneaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps according to anotheraspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps according to stillanother aspect of the present invention.

The exemplifications set out herein illustrate preferred embodiments ofthe invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed aslimiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, anexemplary environment 100 suitable for implementing the presentinvention is shown. As indicated in FIG. 1, environment 100 comprisesuser input means such as user input device 10, controlling means such asapparatus 20, digital bus means such as digital data bus 30, andcontrolled means such as external device 40.

User input device 10 is operative to receive user inputs that controlthe operation of apparatus 20 and/or external device 40. According to anexemplary embodiment, user input device 10 comprises a plurality of keysand transmits command signals such as wireless infrared (IR) and/orradio frequency (RF) signals in accordance with a predetermined controlprotocol to apparatus 20 responsive to user depression of its keys. Userinput device 10 may for example be embodied as a hand-held remotecontrol device, wired and/or wireless keyboard, or other user inputdevice.

Apparatus 20 is operative to receive signals including audio, videoand/or data signals in analog and/or digital format from one or moresignal sources such as terrestrial, cable, satellite, internet and orother signal sources. Apparatus 20 is also operative to process receivedsignals to generate digital signals, and to provide such digitalsignals, as well as digital command signals, to one or more devicesincluding external device 40 via digital data bus 30. Apparatus 20 maybe controlled by a user responsive to inputs via user input device 10,and such inputs may also be used to control external device 40.According to an exemplary embodiment, apparatus 20 may be embodied as atelevision signal receiver or other device that is compliant with thebus standard (e.g., IEEE-1394, Hiperlan2 , etc.) of digital data bus 30.As will be described later herein, apparatus 20 provides auto-play andauto-pause functions which control external device 40.

Digital data bus 30 is operative to transmit digital signals betweendevices including apparatus 20 and external device 40. According to anexemplary embodiment, digital data bus 30 may be embodied as a wiredand/or wireless digital bus that is compliant with a given bus standardor specification. For example, digital data bus 30 may be embodied as awired digital bus such as an IEEE-1394 bus and/or a wireless digitalbus, such as a Hiperlan2 bus.

External device 40 is operative to receive signals including audio,video, data and/or command signals from apparatus 20, and also toprovide signals to apparatus 20 via digital data bus 30. According to anexemplary embodiment, external device 40 may be embodied as any devicethat is compliant with the bus standard (e.g., IEEE-1394, Hiperlan2,etc.) of digital data bus 30 which accepts a play command and/or a pausecommand. For example, external device 40 may be embodied as a digitalrecording/reproduction device such as an AVHDD, DVCR, or other device.

Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram providing further details ofapparatus 20 of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is shown. Apparatus 20 of FIG. 2 comprises front panelmeans such as front panel assembly (FPA) 11, amplifying means such asamplifier 12, and input/output (I/O) means such as I/O block 13,processing means such as processor 14, and memory means such as memory15. Some of the foregoing elements of FIG. 2 may be embodied usingintegrated circuits (ICs), and some elements may for example be includedon one or more ICs. For clarity of description, certain conventionalelements associated with apparatus 20 such as certain control signals,power signals and or other elements may not be shown in FIG. 2.

FPA 11 is operative to receive user inputs from user input device 10,and to output signals corresponding to the user inputs to amplifier 12.According to an exemplary embodiment, FPA 11 receives wireless signals,such as IR and/or RF signals, from remote control device 10 andgenerates corresponding signals, which are output to amplifier 12.Amplifier 12 is operative to amplify the signals provided from FPA 11for output to processor 14.

I/O block 13 is operative to perform I/O functions of apparatus 20.According to an exemplary embodiment, I/O block 13 is operative toreceive signals including audio, video and or data signals in analogand/or digital format from one or more signal sources such asterrestrial, cable, satellite, internet and or other signal sources. I/Oblock 13 is also operative to output digital signals to and receivedigital signals from one or more other devices including external device40 via digital data bus 30. According to an exemplary embodiment, I/Oblock 13 includes a plurality of input and/or output terminals includingat least one bi-directional terminal such as the one connected todigital data bus 30. As referred to herein, an input and/or outputterminal of I/O block 13 may be simply referred to as an “input” ofapparatus 20. As will be described later herein, a user input via userinput device 10 may cause apparatus 20 to switch from one input toanother input via I/O block 13.

Processor 14 is operative to perform various signal processing andcontrol functions of apparatus 20. According to an exemplary embodiment,processor 14 processes signals provided from I/O block 13 by performingfunctions including tuning, demodulation, forward error correction, andtransport processing functions to thereby generate digital signals. Thedigital signals produced from such processing functions may be providedfor further processing (e.g., MPEG decoding, etc.) and display, and/ormay be provided to one or more other devices including external device40 via digital data bus 30.

Processor 14 is also operative to detect user inputs provided via userinput device 10, including inputs, which initiate a disconnection from,and connection to devices on digital data bus 30 such as external device40. Processor 14 may output one or more control signals, which causeapparatus 20 to switch from one input to another Input via I/O block 13.Processor 14 also enables the generation and output of various digitalcommand signals, such as play and pause command signals, to externaldevice 40 via digital data bus 30. According to an exemplary embodiment,such command signals may be audio video/control (AV/C) protocol signalsas defined by the 1394 Trade Association, Grapevine, Tex., USA, orsignals of another protocol. As will be described later herein, the playand pause command signals may be used to control external device 40 inaccordance with auto-play and auto-pause functions of apparatus 20.

Memory 15 is operative to perform data storage functions of apparatus20. According to an exemplary embodiment, memory 15 stores data such assoftware code, command data and user setup data, which enable processor14 to perform one or more processing, and/or control functions.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart 300 illustrating exemplary stepsaccording to one aspect of the present invention is shown. Inparticular, the steps of FIG. 3 illustrate how the auto-play functionmay be used for device control according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. For purposes of example and explanation, thesteps of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to the elements shownin environment 100 of FIG. 1. The steps of FIG. 3 are merely exemplary,and are not intended to limit the present invention in any manner.

At step 310, apparatus 20 detects the initiation of a disconnectionprocess from external device 40. According to an exemplary embodiment,processor 14 detects the initiation of the disconnection process fromexternal device 40 at step 310 responsive to a user input via user inputdevice 10 which switches the current input of apparatus 20 away fromexternal device 40. For example, a user may provide an input, whichcauses apparatus 20 to switch its input to a device that is notconnected to digital data bus 30.

At step 320, apparatus 20 determines whether external device 40 is inthe play mode. According to an exemplary embodiment, apparatus 20provides a digital command signal to external device 40 via digital databus 30 under the control of processor 14 at step 320, which enablesapparatus 20 to read operating mode data indicating the currentoperating mode of external device 40, and thereby determine whetherexternal device 40 is in the play mode. For example, with AV/C protocol,a READ INFO BLOCK command signal may be provided to external device 40to thereby read such operating mode data.

If the determination at step 320 is positive, process flow advances tostep 330 where apparatus 20 provides a pause command signal to interruptoperation of external device 40 via digital data bus 30 under thecontrol of processor 14. According to an exemplary embodiment, the pausecommand signal provided at step 330 may be implemented using an AV/Cprotocol PLAY command with a speed variation, although a differentsignal protocol could also be used.

From step 330, and also when the determination at step 320 is negative,process flow advances to step 340 where apparatus 20 disconnects fromexternal device 40 under the control of processor 14. According to anexemplary embodiment, the disconnection from external device 40 at step340 may Involve a specific signal protocol (e.g., disconnectrequest-disconnect response, etc.) associated with digital data bus 30.For example, the disconnection from external device 40 at step 340 maybe performed in accordance with the asynchronous and isochronouscharacteristics prescribed by the IEEE-1394 standard. From step 340,process flow advances to step 350 where apparatus 20 continues withnormal operation.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart 400 illustrating exemplary stepsaccording to another aspect of the present invention is shown. Inparticular, the steps of FIG. 4 illustrate how the auto-pause functionmay be used for device control according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention. For purposes of example and explanation, thesteps of FIG. 4 will also be described with reference to the elementsshown in environment 100 of FIG. 1. The steps of FIG. 4 are merelyexemplary, and are not intended to limit the present invention in anymanner.

At step 410, apparatus 20 detects the initiation of a connection processto external device 40. According to an exemplary embodiment, processor14 detects the initiation of the connection process to external device40 at step 410 responsive to a user input via user input device 10 whichswitches the current Input of apparatus 20 to external device 40. Forexample, a user may provide an input, which causes apparatus 20 toswitch its input to external device 40 and away from a device that isnot connected to digital data bus 30.

At step 420, apparatus 20 connects to external device 40 under thecontrol of processor 14. According to an exemplary embodiment, theconnection to external device 40 at step 420 may involve a specificsignal protocol (e.g., connect request-connect response, etc.)associated with digital data bus 30. For example, the connection toexternal device 40 at step 420 may be performed in accordance with theasynchronous and isochronous characteristics prescribed by the IEEE-1394standard.

At step 430, apparatus 20 determines whether external device 40 is inthe pause mode. According to an exemplary embodiment, apparatus 20provides a digital command signal to external device 40 via digital databus 30 under the control of processor 14 at step 430, which enablesapparatus 20 to read operating mode data indicating the currentoperating mode of external device 40, and thereby determine whetherexternal device 40 is in the pause mode. For example, with AV/Cprotocol, a READ INFO BLOCK command signal may be provided to externaldevice 40 to thereby read such operating mode data.

If the determination at step 430 is negative, process flow advances tostep 450 where apparatus 20 continues with normal operation.Alternatively, if the determination at step 430 is positive, processflow advances to step 440 where apparatus 20 provides a play commandsignal to resume the operation of external device 40 via digital databus 30 under the control of processor 14. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the play command signal provided at step 440 may be an AV/Cprotocol PLAY command signal although a different signal protocol couldalso be used. From step 440, process flow advances to step 450 whereapparatus 20 continues with normal operation.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flowchart 500 illustrating exemplary stepsaccording to still another aspect of the present invention is shown. Inparticular, the steps of FIG. 5 illustrate how the auto-play functionmay be used for device control according to another exemplary embodimentof the present invention. For purposes of example and explanation, thesteps of FIG. 5 will also be described with reference to the elementsshown in environment 100 of FIG. 1. The steps of FIG. 5 are merelyexemplary, and are not intended to limit the present invention in anymanner.

At step 510, apparatus 20 detects a power interruption. According to oneexemplary embodiment, processor 14 detects the power interruption atstep 510 responsive to a user input via user input device 10 whichswitches apparatus 20 from an on state to an off/standby state. Duringthe off/standby state, certain elements of apparatus 20 may stillreceive power, and apparatus 20 may be switched back to the on stateresponsive to another user input via user input device 10. According toanother exemplary embodiment, processor 14 detects the powerinterruption at step 510 responsive to a complete removal of power fromapparatus 20. This type of power interruption may occur for example ifapparatus 20 is unplugged from its power source (e.g., wall outlet), ora power outage occurs as the result of conditions such as adverseweather conditions, utility company problem, etc.

At step 520, apparatus 20 detects a restoration of power. According toone exemplary embodiment, processor 14 detects the restoration of powerat step 520 responsive to a user input via user input device 10 whichswitches apparatus 20 from the off/standby state to the on state.According to another exemplary embodiment, processor 14 detects therestoration of power at step 520 responsive to apparatus 20 beingplugged back in to its power source, or when a power outage attributableto conditions such as adverse weather conditions, utility companyproblems, etc. is corrected.

At step 530, apparatus 20 determines whether external device 40 isselected as its initial input. According to an exemplary embodiment,apparatus 20 includes an initial input selection setting as part of itsuser setup process, which allows users to select a particular input ofapparatus 20 that is automatically switched to whenever power is appliedto apparatus 20. Accordingly, at step 530, processor 14 checks thecurrent user setup data in memory 15 to determine whether the user hasselected external device 40 as its initial input.

If the determination at step 530 is negative, process flow advances tostep 540 where apparatus 20 switches to its default input (e.g., anantenna input, etc.) under the control of processor 14. From step 540,process flow advances to step 570 where apparatus 20 continues withnormal operation. Alternatively, if the determination at step 530 ispositive, process flow advances to step 550 where apparatus 20 performsan initialization process in order to enable communication with externaldevice 40 via digital data bus 30. According to an exemplary embodiment,processor 14 executes software code (e.g., IEEE-1394 software code,etc.) to perform the initialization process at step 550 and therebyreceives notification when external device 40 is detected on digitaldata bus 30.

Next, at step 560, apparatus 20 provides a play command signal to startoperation of external device 40 via digital data bus 30 under thecontrol of processor 14, which causes external device 40 to beginplaying. According to an exemplary. embodiment, the play command signalprovided at step 560 may be an AV/C protocol PLAY command signalalthough a different signal protocol could also be used. From step 560,process flow advances to step 570 where apparatus 20 continues withnormal operation.

It should also be appreciated that the principles of the presentinvention reflected herein may be combined in any suitable manner. Forexample, any aspects of the present invention represented In theflowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 5 may be combined according to design choice.

As described herein, the present invention provides a method andapparatus for controlling a device via a digital data bus by usingauto-play and/or auto-pause functions. The present invention may beapplicable to various apparatuses, either with or without a displaydevice. Accordingly, the phrase “television signal receiver” as usedherein may refer to systems or apparatuses including, but not limitedto, television sets, computers or monitors that include a displaydevice, and systems or apparatuses such as set-top boxes, video cassetterecorders (VCRs), digital versatile disk (DVD) players, video gameboxes, personal video recorders (PVRs), computers or other apparatusesthat may not include a display device.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design,the present invention can be further modified within the spirit andscope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended tocover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using itsgeneral principles. Further, this application is intended to cover suchdepartures from the present disclosure as come within known or customarypractice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fallwithin the limits of the appended claims.

1. A method for controlling an external device, comprising: detectinginitiation of one of a disconnection from said external device and aconnection to said external device; providing a first command signal tointerrupt operation of said external device via a data bus if saidinitiation of said disconnection from said external device is detected;and providing a second command signal to resume the operation of saidexternal device via said data bus if said initiation of said connectionto said external device is detected.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprised of: detecting an interruption of power; detecting arestoration of said power; determining whether said external device isselected as an initial input responsive to said restoration of saidpower; and providing said second command signal to said external devicevia said data bus if said external device is selected as said initialinput.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said data bus includes anIEEE-1394 bus.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein said first commandsignal and said second command signal are AV/C protocol signals.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: said disconnection from said external deviceis detected responsive to a first user input; and said connection tosaid external device is detected responsive to a second user input. 6.The method of claim 1, wherein said external device is a digitalrecording/reproduction device.
 7. An apparatus, comprising: input/outputmeans for connecting said apparatus to an external device via a databus; processing means for detecting initiation of one of a disconnectionfrom said external device and a connection to said external device; andwherein said input/output means outputs a first command signal tointerrupt operation of said external device via said data bus if saidprocessing means detects said initiation of said disconnection from saidexternal device, and outputs a second command signal to resume theoperation of said external device via said data bus if said processingmeans detects said initiation of said connection to said externaldevice.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: said processing meansdetermines whether said external device is selected as an initial inputof said apparatus responsive to an interruption and restoration of powerto said apparatus; and said input/output means outputs said secondcommand signal to said external device via said data bus if saidexternal device is selected as said initial input of said apparatus. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said data bus (30) includes anIEEE-1394 bus.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said first commandsignal and said second command signal are AV/C protocol signals.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 7, wherein said processing means detects saidinitiation of said disconnection from said external device responsive toa first user input to said apparatus, and detects said initiation ofsaid connection to said external device responsive to a second userinput to said apparatus.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein saidexternal device is a digital recording/reproduction device.
 13. Atelevision signal receiver, comprising: an input/output terminaloperative to connect said television signal receiver to an externaldevice via a data bus; a processor operative to detect initiation of oneof a disconnection from said external device and a connection to saidexternal device; and wherein said input/output terminal outputs a firstcommand signal to interrupt operation of said external device via saiddata bus if said processor detects said initiation of said disconnectionfrom said external device, and outputs a second command signal to resumethe operation of said external device via said data bus if saidprocessor detects said initiation of said connection to said externaldevice.
 14. The television signal receiver of claim 13, wherein: saidprocessor determines whether said external device is selected as aninitial input of said television signal receiver responsive to aninterruption and restoration of power to said television signalreceiver; and said input/output terminal outputs said second commandsignal to said external device via said data bus if said external deviceis selected as said initial input of said television signal receivers.15. The television signal receiver of claim 14, wherein said data busincludes an IEEE-1394 bus.
 16. The television signal receiver of claim14, wherein said first command signal and said second command signal areAV/C protocol signals.
 17. The television signal receiver of claim 13,wherein said processor detects said initiation of said disconnectionfrom said external device responsive to a first user input to saidtelevision signal receiver, and detects said initiation of saidconnection to said external device responsive to a second user input tosaid television signal receiver.
 18. The television signal receiver ofclaim 13, wherein said external device is a digitalrecording/reproduction device.